Wilkie fears Hobart hospital downgrade

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie fears Hobart will get a scaled-down hospital redevelopment after the Tasmanian government announced a review of the project.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson has told state parliament a task force will report on the $586 million rebuild within six months.

Mr Ferguson says the project could run as much as $70 million over budget.

Mr Wilkie negotiated $340 million of federal money for the project as part of his agreement to support the minority Gillard government in 2010.

"The tone of the briefing (Mr Ferguson) gave to state parliament today worries me," Mr Wilkie said in a statement.

"I am concerned that the Tasmanian community is being softened up for a hospital that will be significantly less than the one we were expecting and desperately need."

Mr Ferguson used the second day of the new parliament to make a statement on the hospital and announce the $1 million review.

He said the government remained committed to a "rescue" of the redevelopment on the current site in Hobart's CBD.

"This project is riddled with risk, and is over-budget and unaffordable into the future," the minister said.

"It would be foolhardy and irresponsible for my government to continue with the project as it stands."

Mr Wilkie has described the previous Labor-Green government's handling of the project as a "shambles" and says it is already two years behind schedule.

He says a short-term halt to the project is justified but health outcomes must come first.

"What I am looking for is strong political leadership to meet Tasmania's health needs, not an accountant looking for a short-term budget fix," he said.

Labor's former health minister Michelle O'Byrne said the project had always faced challenges.

"They were known," Ms O'Byrne told parliament.

"Did none of you read the auditor-general's report?"

The Tasmanian branch of the Australian Medical Association said the delay was regrettable and clinicians with hospital design experience must be included in the review's reference group.